Envelope



June 10, 1952 H. M. WHITMAN ENVELOPE M gzvgavme FOR Filed Oct. 2, 1947 Patented June 10, 1952 UNITED STAT ENVELOPE Harlan M. Whitman, West Hartford, Conn., as-

signor to Curtis 1000, Incorporated, Hartford, Conn, a corporation of Minnesota This invention relates to correspondence envelopes of paper and particularly to envelopes adapted for business notices and communications which may qualify as third class mail.

An object of the invention is to provide an en velope adapted for single mailing and on which a message may be written before final folding of the envelope into position for mailing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an envelope on the inner surface of which a message may be printed or Written which will permit inspection by the postal authorities while the message is normally maintained out of View by the folds of the envelope.

With the above and other objects in view the invention may include the features of construction and operation set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. I

In the accompanying drawing annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification I have shown the invention embodied in two forms of correspondence envelopes but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawing:

Fig. '1 is an outline of the sheet forming an envelope made according to the present invention prior to its being folded;

Fig. 2 is an outline of the envelope shown in Fig. 1 partially folded and as used by the sender;

Fig. 3 is a completely folded view of the envelope shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ready for mailing:

Fig. 4 is an outline before folding of another form of envelope made according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a partially folded view of the envelope shown in Fig. 4 ready for receiving the printed or written message and Fig. 6 is a completely folded view of the envelope ready for mailing.

In the above mentioned drawing, there have been shown but two embodiments of the invention which are now thought to be preferred, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Referring more in detail to the figures of the drawing and first to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that this envelope includes a central panel I 0, two gummed flaps I2 and I4, and two large ungummed panels I6 and I8. The gummed flaps I2 and It may extend along one side and one end respectively of the central panel Ill. The longer flap I2 has its free edge gummed and the shorter flap I4 is wider and has a portion only of its width gummed throughout its length. The free edge of flap I4 is left ungummed for a purpose presently to be described. Flap- I4 is moistened and its gummed portion is made to adhere to the surface of the central panel II) preferably before printing or writing the message or information on the inner surfaces of the panels I0, l6 and I8.

To prepare the envelope for mailing the panel I6 has its end edge tucked under the free end ungummed margin of the flap I4. The panel I8 is then folded over the panel I6 and flap I4 and finally the fiap I2 is folded over the free end of panel I8. With the flap I2 moistened and adhering to the outer surface of panel I8 the printed matter or message will be concealed but may be inspected by carefully withdrawing panel It. With the panel I6 withdrawn, or by turning back the ungummed margin of flap I4, the inner surfaces of panels I0, I6 and I8 will be visible when the envelope is bowed outwardly by compressing the upper and lower edges.

The envelope may be opened in the same manner as a conventional envelope by slitting along the fold between panel l0 and flap I2. The panels I6 and I8 may then be readily unfolded to present the entire printed matter in convenient and readable form. If desired, perforations 20 may be provided adjacent or along the fold between panels I0 and I6. This panel may then be readily detached for remailing.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the envelope comprises a central panel 24, and a panel 26 extending from one of the longer sides. In addition two oppositely disposed flaps 28 are provided extending from the shorter sides of panel 24. A third flap 30 of conventional triangular form with its free edge gummed is also provided. The two flaps 28 are gummed overv The printed or written matter on the inner surfaces of panels 24 and 26 may be inspected by bowing the panels 24 and 26 outwardly by compressing their upper and lower edges. The envelope also may be opened in the usual manner by slitting along the edge or fold between panel 24 and flap 30.

I claim:

1. An envelope comprising a central panel, a side panel extending from one edge thereof, a

, flap extending from said central panel at the .opposite edge from said side panel, said flap being partially gummed and having a free edge under which said side panel may be tucked when folded, a second panel extending from another side edge of said central panel, and a gummed flap from another edge of said central panel to which said second panel may be attached.

2. An envelope comprising a central panel, two side panels extending from adjacent edges of said central panel, and two gummed flaps extending from the remaining sides of said central panel, one of said flaps being adhesively attached tosaid central panel and having a free ungummed edge under which the free end of one of said side panels may be tucked, the other side panel being adhesively attached to said second flap.

HARLAN M. WHITMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 308,554 Clegg Nov. 25, 1884 938.163 Hasbrouck Nov. 2, 1909 1,280,723 Harris Oct. 8, 1918 1,306,647 Wallmuth June 10, 1919 1,343,419 Swift June 15, 1920 1,363,252 James Dec. 28, 1920 2,056,804 Potdevin Oct. 6, 1936 2,402,821 Kosteling June 25, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 542,978 Great Britain Feb. 4,. 1942 

